[Curt]

You'll all be fine, believe me. You'll all go through many changes in your lives - for many of you this will mean your goals will change.

I slumbered through a job that I grew tired of and started to really dislike (as a Dental Technician). I'd been working in the job, and for the same company and same small group of people since I was 19. I went to college for 4 years (1 full day per week) while working, to obtain the required qualifications. I disliked the course a lot, but once I'd started I was determined to complete it, no matter what.

Then I hit 30 and went through a whole identity crisis. Who am I, where am I going with my life, etc, etc. The works. I hit probably the lowest point in my life. I felt depressed every day. I completely lost the plot at work and really pissed of my colleagues (who all stood by me and are still my good friends to this day - I'm extremely lucky). Within 6 months of turning 30 I'd quit my job and taken another in a completely different industry (Production Controller for a specialized screw and bolt manufacturing company). That was great, but stressful. I was suddenly dealing more with people and loved it. But hated the stress and heavy workload. I still had many doubts about where I was heading in life. Being single and having too much time on my hands didn't help either.

If I'd not met Megs, I daresay I'd still be working there and probably hating it (I'm not much one for change). But we did meet, so I moved to Germany and for the last 2 years have been working back as a Dental Technician - suddenly, many years later, the 4 dull years at college had paid dividends as I wouldn't have got the job without the certificate.

So what makes it possible for me to work in a job now that I had grown to dislike? My priorities have changed. Suddenly my life and my future wasn't just about me. Work no longer became my main priority. Sure, I'm still reasonably young. I have plenty of time to either achieve more in my current trade or to look for another where I would be happier, and who knows, I may sooner or later change things again. But it all seems less important to me now that my focus has moved to other areas of my life.

We all have times of uncertainty, of insecurity. That's normal. That's why everyone feels they can relate I guess.

Anyway, sorry if I've drifted at all off-topic. I know it's an old cliche, but live each day as it comes. Tomorrow may just surprise you and send you in a direction you weren't expecting.

[Ninth]

Originally Posted by Curt

My priorities have changed. Suddenly my life and my future wasn't just about me.

Yep, just the same. Funny how most of my self-questionning and self-loathing seemed suddenly pointless and absurd when I met the right (sorry for the cliché) person. Now I'm still lazy and unproductive, but I just don't care. Not enough for it to hurt, anyway.

[Ninth]

Originally Posted by redhotray

I guess I'm just wondering if I'm alone in the World? Does anyone else have these feelings towards themselves and their work?

Almost everybody of our age has these feelings, I guess.